Specs for valve cover bolts?

[Silentbob343]

I need to replace one of my valve cover bolts and none of my dealers stock the part. I was thinking of trying to find a replacement at autozone or the like.

Anybody know thread info or if there is anything special about the OEM mazda bolts that I need to look for on the replacement?

[rage557]

i just saw a bunch on ebay do a search there. I think it listed as a miata part.

[Silentbob343]

can I drive around missing a valve cover bolt?

[rage557]

I suppose you could. You might leak a bit of oil but i dont think it would do any damage. If its only one bolt you should be ok untill you get a new one.

[Silentbob343]

I guess you are right as one of the bolts was't even holding the cover down when I went to remove it to change the gasket.

Of course there was all sorts of blow by at that corner.

[91ProtegeDX]

Ive gone through so many valve cover bolts it isnt funny.....its perfectly fine to drive around with one missing as long as it isnt in a corner....i broke 2 and drove to the local NAPA and the guy gave me 2 for free...they werent the same color/size on the bolt head but it was the same thread....check your toolbox youve probably got something laying around thatl work.....

Actually the bolt head is a 10mm (metric) ... not sure the thread or length info...length doesnt matter really unless its to long

correct me if im wrong on the 10mm part though....maybe there 9 hell i dont remember...

[Silentbob343]

10mm is correct. I don't have anything around the house and my local advanced auto did't have the correct thread. I'll keep looking around, hell I can always pull them off at my local junkyard.